Choosing the LVN Programs that Work for You
With the nation’s population aging, and the need for more and more healthcare workers on the rise, careers in nursing are quickly becoming some of the most lucrative and sought after jobs.
The job is demanding, but with patience, care and proper training, it can be an enjoyable one on a daily basis.
If you’re considering a career in nursing, browse through this site to find the nuts and bolts info on what it means – and takes – to be a nurse, from State requirements, to pay, to sheer mental willpower.
The short amount of time that you spend reviewing this site, could very well lead to a lifetime career of helping people. It’s all just a click away.
Congratulations on Your Decision to Learn More About LVN’s!
Licensed Vocational Nurses: What Are They?
If you’ve had to go to the doctor for a broken bone or even a fever, then you’ve been treated by a licensed vocational nurse, or LVN.
LVNs do just what their name implies, the practical everyday duties that arise in a clinic or hospital. They:
- Measure and record patients’ vital signs, like height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, respiratory and pulse
- Interview patients on their medical health history and current ailment
- Prepare and give injections
- Monitor catheters
- Dress wounds
- Help patients with personal hygiene once they’re admitted
- Perform routine lab work
- Help to deliver, care for, and feed infants
- Monitor patients and report adverse reactions to medications or treatments
Nurses with this certification generally work under physicians and registered nurses, who they closely interact with to help determine the best care for patients. Experienced LVNs may also supervise aides or nursing assistants.
In a few states, LVNs are permitted to give prescribed medicines, provide care to patients on ventilators and start intravenous fluids.
Where Do LVNs Work And What is the Average LVN Salary?
For the most part, LVNs work in all areas of health care. However, some prefer specialized settings, like home health care, nursing homes or in a doctor’s office. The latest numbers from the federal government show where nurses work and what the median LVN salary is:
- 26 percent of LVNs worked in hospitals, making $35,000
- 26 percent in nursing care facilities, making $38,320
- 12 percent in offices of physicians, making $32,710
- 16 percent worked for health care services ($37,880), employment services ($42,110), residential care facilities, community care facilities for the elderly, outpatient care centers and federal, state, and local government agencies
According to the latest data, the average pay for LVNs is $36,550.
Which LVN Programs are Right for You?
Because of the demand for nurses, there are currently hundreds of training programs offered by vocational and technical schools and community or junior colleges.
The programs typically last about one year and requirements for acceptance into a nursing program are relatively easy, when compared to other highly skilled programs. A high school diploma or GED are usually required to enter the programs, though some accept candidates without them and other times the programs are a part of a high school curriculum.
While in one of the LVN programs, students work both in the classroom and with real patients in clinical settings. The classroom portion of the program covers standard nursing subjects and concepts, from anatomy, physiology, pediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatric nursing, administering drugs, nutrition and first aid.
Clinical practice, which is always supervised, usually occurs in a hospital but can be in other clinical settings.
How to Become a Licensed Vocational Nurse
After completing a nursing program, there’s still one final step that’s required to become an LVN: taking your licensing exam.
The exam uses computers for testing that can vary depending upon which questions are answered correctly, and covers several covering categories: physiological integrity, the integrity of psycho-social dynamics, the effective maintenance and promotion of health, and ensuring a safe environment for care.
There is currently no way to earn your licensure without first taking the exam, which is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Paying for Your LVN Degree
Just like with any other degree programs, financial help is available to nursing students who need it. Most community colleges, as well as Universities, offer nursing scholarships. For tips on finding grants and loans for your degree program, visit the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s financial page.
The amount of aid you receive will ultimately hinge on how much each program is willing to offer, so be sure to check with your school’s financial aid office for an estimate of how much financial aid they offer.
The Future Job Market for LVN’s
There’s no better time than now to invest in your education toward an LVN degree. Job prospects for LVNs are expected to be very good, with the best opportunities occurring in home health care services and nursing home facilities.
Between 2016 and 2024, employment for LVNs is expected to grow by 14 percent as the population gets older and baby boomers retire.
It’s All Up to You!
You’ve just learned the basic information on how to join this growing and rewarding field. While nursing is not for everyone, the opportunity to help someone in need and to oversee their recovery is a life-changing experience.